Biz Briefs

Apparel Industry tops US $ 4 bn mark

Sri Lanka's apparel industry has surpassed the US $ 4 bn mark for the first time in its export earnings reaching $ 4.09 bn for 2011. As the industry tops $ 4 bn in foreign exchange it has also recorded a 22 percent growth over 2010 where the earnings were $ 3.2 bn.

"We now have a bigger challenge to sustain the $ 4 bn level. This is largely due to the recession in the West. The USA and Europe are our biggest markets. However, we do not consider this as a serious threat as during the past we have overcome many difficulties successfully", said the Secretary of Joint Apparel Association Forum General M P T Cooray. (PRIU)

Sri Lankan shippers warned of growing power of carriers

Sri Lankan shippers warned of growing power of carriers Feb 9, 2012 (LBO) - Shipping lines are coming together to survive a downturn in trade that is causing losses but a recent freight rate hike might not last, Sri Lankan shippers have been told.

"The top 20 carriers now control 84 percent of ship board capacity - there is a concentration of power," said Parakrama Dissanayake, chairman of Aitken Spence Shipping, the transport arm of the listed Aitken Spence group.

Hertz opens office in Colombo

by Beverly Jansz

Economic Affairs Deputy Minister, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena lights the oil lamp to open the new Hertz office. Looking on are Managing Director, Tourism Promotion Bureau, Rumy Stauffer, Managing Director of the Company, Mahen Kariyawasam, Director Mahesh Pasqual, Romanian Ambassador, Dr. Victor Chiujdea. Pic: Beverley Jansz.

Hertz opened its city office at the Galadari Hotel with the participation of Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena was the chief guest. With the opening of the new office, Hertz is offering customers a convenient location in Colombo.

Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation offers a diverse line of rental equipment, and has approximately 325 branches in the USA, Canada, China, France, Spain and Italy.

Singapore Aviva advisors choose Colombo for Convention

A delegation of over 40 sales professionals - Aviva Advisors from Singapore - chose Sri Lanka as their choice of destination and held their first official annual convention in Colombo recently. The delegation spent five days in Sri Lanka and the overseas exposure they received was part of the recognition and rewards for being among the top of the team.

Aviva Advisors in Singapore are the equivalents of AVIVA NDB Wealth Planners. Managing Director of AVIVA NDB Insurance, Shah Rouf was a special invitee to the Gala Dinner when the Aviva Advisors convened in Colombo, and said: “We are delighted that our Singapore colleagues chose Sri Lanka as their venue. It is a mark of confidence in Sri Lanka as a desirable destination of choice and the high regard in which AVIVA NDB Wealth Planners are held across Asia.”

WHO GMP certification for Lina Manufacturing

Sri Lanka's centre for respiratory care formulation and manufacturing, Lina Manufacturing, received World Health Organisation GMP certification, 'Good manufacturing Practice' or 'GMP' are practices and systems of manufacturing, quality control, and quality systems covering the manufacture and testing of pharmaceuticals or drugs including active pharmaceutical ingredients.

GMP's comprise 23 different aspects of production and testing that can impact the quality of a product. Many countries have introduced legislation to ensure pharmaceutical and medical device companies follow GMP guidelines and procedures.

Ceylinco Life launches'Life insurance week'

Ceylinco Life will conduct its fifth annual 'Life Insurance Week' to promote life insurance. The initiative which began yesterday will continue till February 11 to17.

Brandix makes blood donation

Group HRM of Brandix Sujith Jayasekera (left) receives the award of appreciation from the Senior Consultant Transfusion Physician Dr. Senarath Jayasekara and the Acting Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service.

Associates of top apparel exporter Brandix donated 2,277 pints of blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in 2011, reiterating its continuing commitment to the community.

Brandix was also the largest blood donor of 2010 according to the NBTS, and exceeded that year's contribution by 321 pints of blood in 2011.

Sri Lanka ranks among top 20 outsourcing destinations

The Tholons 2012 Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations report identifies top global cities and countries for outsourcing IT/BPO services.

With the improvement in the country's value proposition in IT/BPO, Sri Lanka is clearly emerging as a global sourcing destination in the region.

The positive socio-political developments driven by the country's improving security conditions have been highlighted as key reasons to attract more companies focused on FAO (finance and accounting outsourcing) and Software Development.

Unilever launches Comfort Ultra Pure

Unilever Sri Lanka launched the Comfort Ultra Pure at the Comfort Family Fair, a three-day-event that showcases a wide range of products and services geared to serving a soon-to-be parent. Comfort Ultra Pure is a sensitive variant that is mild in fragrance, designed for babies, children, and those with sensitive skin.

Speaking from inside the large crib that served as the centerpiece of the launch, Shazan Zahir, Assistant Brand Manager - Comfort at Unilever Sri Lanka, described the event as one 'built to serve those soon-to-be parents who are looking to make the best decisions for their newborn'.

Maliban awarded 'Good Manufacturing Practices' certification

Director General Dr. L. N. Senaweera handing over the GMP certificate to Chairman Maliban Milk A. G. R. Samaraweera. CEO, Laxman Weerasooriya is also in the picture. Pic. by Sumanachandra Ariyawansa.

Maliban Milk was awarded the International Standards of ISO Certifications trinity; ISO 9001, ISO 22000 and ISO 14001 from the Sri Lanka Standards Institution.

ISO 22000: 2005 is awarded for the successful implementation of Food Safety Management Systems, while ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008 certify the adherence to Environment Management Systems and Quality Management Systems.

The Maliban brand was built over the past 60 years with trust, commitment to excellence, leadership in technical expertise and a strong Sri Lankan identity as core brand values.

The Finance to re-structure with MTI

The Finance has appointed MTI Consulting to conduct a strategic audit-based strategic directional plan in 2012. MTI Consulting has a wealth of extensive experience in restructuring programs with other financial companies globally and locally, with assignments in organisations such as the Bank of Ceylon, Union Bank, HNB Assurance and NSB to their credit.

The Finance Company PLC which endured its most challenging period of business in 2008/2009 weathered stormy waters and emerge victorious.